Managed IT – CORPORATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIEShttps://www.corp-infotech.com
Let us show you how good I.T. can be!Tue, 27 Nov 2018 21:10:09 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.3Systems Monitoring – There is a differencehttps://www.corp-infotech.com/systems-monitoring-difference/
Mon, 10 Apr 2017 11:00:15 +0000https://www.corp-infotech.com/?p=9550Server Monitoring: A Higher Standard When every tech company offers server monitoring, how can you know which service is best? There is something in a name – at least when it comes to our services. Technology Assurance Services. Assurance is literally our middle name! To reach that high bar we must be absolutely certain about…

When every tech company offers server monitoring, how can you know which service is best?

Assurance is literally our middle name! To reach that high bar we must be absolutely certain about the status and condition of the business technology systems in our clients’ businesses. To do that we employ numerous means of monitoring systems and technologies.

Customize the solution to your unique needs.

We’re not your typical “Managed” services firm that tries to put their clients into easily managed (and identical) configurations. We embrace the uniqueness of our clients, their businesses, and as such their individual technology needs. Because we manage and own all of the tools we use to administer and monitor our clients’ networks, we can develop monitoring systems that are unique to each client.

We can monitor Microsoft Windows, Linux, MacOS, HP-UX, and even many legacy mainframe systems. We’re able to monitor Firewalls, Ethernet Switches, Routers, Voice equipment, and even printers. Our monitoring of a system doesn’t stop at “is the device up?” We establish a set of minimum baseline monitors for every system that is under our management that ranges from the physical hardware condition (temperature, fan speed, power supply voltage/status, etc.) to the status of the Operating System (performance metrics, running services, logged-on users, etc.) to the specific processes and applications that are present on the system.

Cover all of your bases.

In total, we typically deploy 136 unique monitors to every server we manage and monitor. That is 122 more than the typical Managed Services Provider.

We don’t stop there. Just because the servers of a client are up doesn’t mean that their end-users can transact business on those systems. We employ mock transactional simulations on SQL servers, message transport validation throughout entire email systems, and content analysis from hosted internal web applications.

By utilizing these data together, we can ensure that our clients are able to conduct business using their business technology systems. Our team of experts will create customized monitors that are unique to each client to ensure that whatever makes their business run is always running and available. We’ve deployed SNMP-based monitors to check for things like printer paper levels (in an insurance rebilling operation), the status of a network attached CNC machine (in a manufacturing operation), and even if the coffee had been made by a certain time (in our office).

Don’t simply monitor. Actively improve your business.

We take this level of concern not out of competitive necessity, but rather because we believe in leveraging technology to improve our clients’ businesses. No two businesses are the same therefore nor should two sets of systems monitors. We include these services as a standard feature in our Technology Assurance Services.

Oh, and forget about “next day” response. We’re watching 24×7 from our Charlotte, NC, based Network Operations Center. Yes, It’s in the U.S. Yes, it’s staffed by CIT employees. Not some third party offshoring company. We didn’t think it was right to ask somebody else to keep an eye on our clients while we slept. Much less hand over the administrative credentials to someone that we couldn’t vet and validate.

If your business is using a Managed Services Provider today, do you know who has access to your systems? CIT’s clients do!

Give CIT a call.

Is there something happening on your network that you wish someone would keep an eye on and fix it if it changed? If so, give us a call. Our Network Operations Center in Charlotte, NC, is monitoring thousands of systems worldwide 24 x 7 x 365. We’d love to discuss your needs further!

]]>At Corporate Information Technologies we help SMB’s deploy Data Center’s (both in Charlotte and remote locations). Our implementation of MSP (Managed Service Provider) and MSSP(Managed Security Service Provider) helps SMB’s control cost while providing Enterprise level IT services . See how Corporate Information Technologies can help you control cost . . .

When smaller businesses look to cut costs, they commonly take shortcuts that are risky to their bottom line. They may go out of their way to avoid upgrading dated hardware, buying software licenses, or increasing bandwidth. In some instances, they layoff in-house IT support, or avoid hiring new help, even as the business grows. This often leads to a very cranky and disgruntled “IT guy” with a bad attitude as he or she runs around the office putting out one fire after another – feeling overburdened and underpaid.

Operating even the most basic data center today means recurring operating expenses that aren’t affordable for most small-to-midsize businesses.

Unfortunately, SMBs just have to accept that keeping their data center alive and kicking means significant overhead and expenses. That’s just the way it is.

Or is it? There are actually several ways to reduce data center infrastructure costs without sacrificing the efficiency of your network, server, and applications, or the sanity of your IT guy.

Rent, Don’t Own: A data center needs experienced people and a virtual, always-on, 24/7 staff of administrators, networking experts, database specialists, systems managers, and dedicated IT personnel monitoring the network. From an economic perspective, it’s simply more logical to “rent” these workers rather than hire permanent employees.

Keep Things Remote & Energy Efficient: According to a study published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the fastest-growing sources of U.S. energy consumption are data centers. This is due to the increased power supply required to run and cool a data center. Hardware sprawl is also a problem contributor, as most businesses have space limitations and lack the available room for any additional hardware.

Embrace Outsourcing

Both of the aforementioned cost control measures can be accomplished by outsourcing data center operating expenses. Outsourcing isn’t a dirty word. Managing IT on your own is difficult and far from cost effective. Outsourcing the day-to-day IT management responsibilities through a Managed Services Provider is a strategic way to improve the efficiency of operations and dramatically cut costs.

Is it any surprise that more and more SMBs today are tapping into the full spectrum of outsourced managed services to empower their business processes and reduce overhead? Are you?

]]>Are Managed IT Services Right For You?https://www.corp-infotech.com/managed-services-right/
Tue, 11 Oct 2016 22:14:25 +0000https://www.corp-infotech.com/?p=8710Are Managed IT Services Right For You? A Few Things to Consider . . . How do you get a small business to recognize the value of manages IT services? In the start-up environment, we encounter an eclectic bunch of personality types. There is a reason people become entrepreneurs or C-level execs. When we meet…

]]>Are Managed IT Services Right For You? A Few Things to Consider . . .

How do you get a small business to recognize the value of manages IT services? In the start-up environment, we encounter an eclectic bunch of personality types. There is a reason people become entrepreneurs or C-level execs. When we meet the owners or decision makers at smaller companies and organizations, we can tell right away why they’re where they are. They’re visionaries. They’re risk takers. They’re competitive. They want to be in charge.

Therefore, they aren’t always quick to place the fate of their business technology in the hands of a third party. They’ve come as far as they have by being in control and they’re hesitant to give up that control. But we’ve learned a few things along the way.

For example, the Type A personality is highly independent but also very competitive. So we tap into the competitive advantage that managed IT services gives them.

The Type B personality is creative and doesn’t like static routines. But their ears perk up when they hear terminology like “cutting-edge” and we can then paint the big picture for them once their listening.

But anyone we do business with has to be committed to the efficiency, security, and stability of their business technology to see our value proposition. And they have to recognize that managing their IT infrastructure is an investment they cannot take lightly.

So here are a few things we commonly have to address before any deal for managed IT services is signed.

Is my business large enough to even consider managed services?

The truth is, any company, regardless of its size or the number of people they employ, will run more efficiently if its technology is monitored, maintained, and managed properly.

These are facets of your operations that drive profitability and give our Type A personalities that competitive edge they crave. And they can rest easy whenever business is booming because their technology is built to sustain their growth. That’s the big picture that our Type B personality can appreciate.

How is making another IT investment a cost-savings move for my business?

There are still many SMBs who feel a greater focus and investment should go towards their core operations or marketing and sales. They only worry about technology when it breaks, figuring they’ll just call a service technician to come to the office and fix whatever the problem is. Or buy some new hardware at Office Depot.

There are some very obvious flaws to this strategy.

You’re paying way too much when it’s way too late – An issue that was likely preventable with early detection has escalated into a full blown business disruption and that on-call technician likely charges a high hourly rate, on top of hardware replacement costs, and may not get to your site right away. Being proactive rather than reactive to technology issues is important.

Don’t forget productivity killers – It’s taking your employees too long to boot their computers. Servers and applications are running slowly. Employee devices are full of Malware. Non-technical employees are running around troubleshooting tech problems. If you see this, your present approach to IT management is killing employee productivity and your bottom line.

What happens internally is noticed externally – Don’t think for a second that customers or clients don’t notice outdated or slow internal technology and mismanagement. If your site or applications are down often, run slowly, or your customer service rep tells them “I’m sorry, our system is down”, they’re noticing and it’s hurting your business.

When all is said and done, professionally managed IT services will give you a competitive edge, guarantee your business is always leveraging the newest most cutting-edge technology, and enhance your relationships with customers and clients – all while reducing costs.